A lack of downtime would leave you feeling depleted, both physically and mentally. Prolonged periods of stress affect your hormones, increasing the level of cortisol also known as the “stress hormone”. It will also decrease the level of serotonin and dopamine in your body.
These hormonal changes have been linked to depression in some people. Increased levels of cortisol can also affect your appetite, potentially leading to weight gain.
Constant stress can also take a toll on your heart. Whether the stress is coming from work, family life, financial issues, or other places, providing no outlet for those negative feelings can increase your risk of a heart attack.
Below are simple ways you can relax
Why is it so difficult to give yourself permission to relax knowing that prolonged periods of stress with no relief aren’t good for our health?.
First, you need to get comfortable with having a downtime. Even five to ten minutes of quiet time meditating, reading, or writing in a journal is enough to give you a chance to breathe and focus for the rest of the day.
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Take short “breaks” before bedtime to clear your mind from the hustle and bustle of the day.
Take a look at the tasks you have on your plate today. Can every single thing on that list really not wait? Are there any tasks you can delegate to others in order to free up small amounts of time for yourself?.
There is always going to be one more load of laundry to do so it’s okay to decide to put yourself first.
Even though it’s not always possible to stop what you’re doing and take time for more low-key activities, make that effort every now and then to keep yourself grounded and present in your life.
Even small changes can make a big difference in the quality of your life. Remember that learning to relax is a skill, so your ability to focus and make the most of your downtime will improve with practice. If one technique doesn’t work for you, try another until you find something that gives you the recharge that you need.
Taking a time-out now and then, whether it’s a quick nap or a moment of meditation, gives your brain a chance to refresh and replenish.
It improves productivity, creativity, increases your attention span, and improves memory. Committing to turning off the brain and really, relaxing every so often can help your brain to get back on track.
A relaxed state increases blood flow to the brain. When this happens, anxiety and stress levels in the body decrease.
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